Cool MateLast time i checked vs Previously
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Last time i checked
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Previously
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Most formal: Previously
| Last time i checked | Previously | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //lɑːst taɪm aɪ tʃɛkt//🇺🇸 //læst taɪm aɪ tʃɛkt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpriːviəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpriːviəsli/"]/ |
| Meaning | The most recent moment I looked at something. | Before now; earlier. |
| Example | Last time I checked, the meeting was still on schedule. | The building had previously been used as a hotel. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | last time I checked in, last time I checked the prices, last time I checked my email | previously mentioned, previously discussed, previously stated, previously introduced, previously reported |
| Antonyms | - | subsequently, afterwards |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal contexts, like academic writing., Misplacing 'last time' in sentences, causing confusion., Confusing it with 'the last time I checked in,' which is more about communication. | Using 'previous' instead of 'previously' in a sentence., Confusing 'previously' with 'currently' which means now., Misplacing 'previously' in a sentence and changing the meaning. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in casual conversation. Avoid in formal writing. Usually implies an update or a change since the last check. | Use 'previously' to connect past events with the present. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts but may sound too formal in casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Last time i checked vs Previously
What's the difference between Last time i checked and Previously?
Last time i checked: The most recent moment I looked at something. Previously: Before now; earlier.
Which is more formal: Last time i checked and Previously?
Previously is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Last time i checked: Last time I checked, the meeting was still on schedule. Previously: The building had previously been used as a hotel.
Can I use Last time i checked and Previously interchangeably?
Not always. Last time i checked and Previously are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.